Good roommate relationships can take time to develop. Talk to your roommate and find out about his/her background, habits, interests, and pet peeves. Learn about the differences between you, how they may affect your living environment, and what compromises you both may have to make to maintain harmony.

Communicate with each other. Talk about the little things that bother you before they escalate into bigger issues.

Many students have never shared a bedroom before. Be prepared to compromise.

Don't expect to be best friends. If a strong friendship develops between roommates, that's great! The important thing is to accept, appreciate, and grow from the experience of living with someone who may be very different from you.

Remember that each of you have rights. Treat your roommate(s) as you would like to be treated.

Don't rely on first impressions. Take the time to get to know each other.

Living with roommates isn't always easy. Sharing a living space may be stressful, and conflicts may arise. Sometimes situations that work at the beginning of the year become more difficult as the year goes on. It's normal to have roommate conflicts, and there is a great deal to be learned in handling a difficult situation maturely, respectfully, and creatively.